These 13 Home Energy Tax Credits Expire in 2016

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Home insulation products, including batts, rolls, blow-in fibers, rigid boards, expanding spray, and pour-in-place insulation, can qualify for a tax credit of 10% of the cost, up to $500, if you completed the installation in 2016.

At the end of 2016, the clock runs out on several federal tax credits for homeowners who made energy upgrades during the year. A tax credit reduces the amount of tax owed, so it's different from a tax deduction, rebate, or refund.

Use Energy Saver's reference list below to see if you are eligible for qualifying credits when filing IRS Tax Form 5695 with your taxes. Bonus points for having your receipts and manufacturer's certification statement on hand!

Home Efficiency Improvements

First-time claimers of the Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Credit can get as much as $500 back for qualifying installations in 2016. Follow the links below to review specific requirements for each product. Remember that to claim the credit, all products must have been placed in service by December 31, 2016.

*In the headline, we promised 13, and then gave you 15. That's because the tax credit for home solar PV and water heating systems doesn't expire for another five years, but the percentage you can claim gradually drops off after 2019. Now is the time to start planning your solar energy system!

So there you have it—the 15 home energy efficiency and renewable energy tax credits that can be claimed when you file your federal tax return before April 18, 2017. There are too many to list here, so be sure to check for state or local incentives too.

Alexis Powers is a Senior Web Project Manager at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. She holds a B.S. in Earth and Ocean Sciences from Duke University and an Advanced Social Media Strategy certification from Syracuse University.